# Burn it down! (Republicans defund MO libraries) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 12, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576 "2023-04-12T12:54:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/1 "2023-04-12T12:54:36Z")
[Missouri republicans vote to defund all the public libraries in the state.](https://heartlandsignal.com/2023/04/11/missouri-house-republicans-vote-to-defund-libraries/) > Missouri House Republicans voted to defund all of the state’s public libraries, in a proposed $45.6 billion state budget that will soon move to a vote in the GOP-controlled state Senate. To quote Bobby (Ned Beatty) in Deliverance: My god, there’s no end to it. The fuckers won’t be happy until they’ve burned the entire goddamned country to the ground. These horrible shits have to be stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/2 "2023-04-12T13:09:09Z")
I am really scared. What the fuck is this planet? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/3 "2023-04-12T13:10:08Z")
I hear the next bill they are working on will remove Handmaid’s Tale from all streaming services since it details their full set of plans. Also, they are trying to locate the funding to build a wall along the northern border to keep folks from escaping that direction, I mean, to stop “illegals” from heading south. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/4 "2023-04-12T13:10:15Z")
Libraries in neighboring Arkansas are funded by county property taxes, although there is a state library, presumably funded by the state, that helps them out. How Missouri libraries funded? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/5 "2023-04-12T13:15:36Z")
[This story](https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-senate-set-to-restore-funds-to-public-libraries-cut-from-house-spending-plan/article_75add4d1-0ce4-5d2f-985d-216b799d741e.html) from April 4 said the funding is being restored. So I am confused. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/6 "2023-04-12T13:46:51Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > What the fuck is this planet? Easy up there. Large parts of the planet are doing fine. Just some other parts have super-sized on the crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/7 "2023-04-12T14:08:53Z")
Here in formerly-red-now-purple Arizona our libraries are doing fine. The Mesa library has a really nicely equipped STEAM learning center, a children’s reading room, they have a used book store, they check out DVDs, they check out seeds, they check out fancy baking pans, and they record books for the blind. I think they have a banned book display, too. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/8 "2023-04-12T14:17:17Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > they check out seeds I imagine the overdue fees for those really pile up. Nobody ever returns seeds when they’re done reading them. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/9 "2023-04-12T14:19:29Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > So I am confused. Your article details what the Senate is _planning_. > The chief Senate budget writer said he plans to restore state funding for Missouri’s public libraries that was stripped out of the House version of the state’s spending plan. That does not in any way conflict with the other article, which says: > Missouri House Republicans voted to defund all of the state’s public libraries, in a proposed $45.6 billion state budget that will soon move to a vote in the GOP-controlled state Senate. In all likelihood, the libraries will **not** be defunded, but that’s not for lack of trying on the part of Missouri’s House. This thread is discussing what sick and dangerous shit some Republicans are trying to pull in that state. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/10 "2023-04-12T14:25:25Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I imagine the overdue fees for those really pile up. Nobody ever returns seeds when they’re done reading them. 🙂 For those that don’t have this at their library, you check out the seeds, grow the plants and return some seeds at the end. I honestly don’t know what percentage return seeds. They keep them in an old card catalog drawer. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/11 "2023-04-12T14:28:51Z")
Missouri has one of the highest [literacy rates](https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/us-literacy-rates-by-state) in the country, surprisingly (to me). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/12 "2023-04-12T14:29:23Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > In all likelihood, the libraries will **not** be defunded, but that’s not for lack of trying on the part of Missouri’s House. This thread is discussing what sick and dangerous shit some Republicans are trying to pull in that state. It’s interesting, the MO Library Association says the state Constitution guarantees funding of libraries. It does kind of look like that, but I’m not a lawyer, and the use of the phrase “as may be provided by law” does confuse me. > **Universal Citation:** [MO Const art IX § 10](https://law.justia.com/citations.html) > > —It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to promote the establishment and development of free public libraries and to accept the obligation of their support by the state and its subdivisions and municipalities in such manner as may be provided by law. When any such subdivision or municipality supports a free library, the general assembly shall grant aid to such public library in such manner and in such amounts as may be provided by law. In any case, the GOP there, like in many places, is a coterie of fuckwits. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/13 "2023-04-12T14:54:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Missouri has one of the highest [literacy rates](https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/us-literacy-rates-by-state) in the country, surprisingly (to me). “Had” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/14 "2023-04-12T15:01:10Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Just some other parts have super-sized on the crazy. Here’s another: [https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/us/texas-llano-county-library-banned-books/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/us/texas-llano-county-library-banned-books/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/15 "2023-04-12T15:28:31Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > In any case, the GOP there, like in many places, is a coterie of fuckwits. And yet, there are ‘moderates’ who object to referring to prominent Republicans and the GOP as a whole as ‘fascist’ or ‘proto-fascist’, because those terms are ‘too extreme’ and might alienate voters on the fence. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/16 "2023-04-12T15:46:46Z")
This echoes strongly with how a lot of cities shut down community pools rather than allow them to be integrated during the Civil Rights movement. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/17 "2023-04-12T15:55:16Z")
_[Massive Resistance](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_resistance)_. For example. Yes, it does resemble that. Like, if we can’t control exactly what books are there, just shut them all down. Or possibly, no one needs to read anything but the Bible. American Taliban is getting to be a pretty accurate descriptor. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/18 "2023-04-12T16:20:02Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > This echoes strongly with how a lot of cities shut down community pools rather than allow them to be integrated during the Civil Rights movement. > [@eschrodinger](#): > > Yes, it does resemble that. Like, if we can’t control exactly what books are there, just shut them all down. Fine examples of GOP grade-school level zero-sum thinking. The whole fucking party needs a 20-year time out. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/19 "2023-04-12T16:30:54Z")
People often attack politicians for never thinking past the next election. But here we have an example of politicians taking the long view. Republicans aren’t enacting these laws to further any short term goals. They’re attacking schools and libraries today to ensure there will be a steady supply of Republican voters in future generations. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576/20 "2023-04-12T18:38:20Z")
Well, we can’t have informed, educated voters now, can we? Who knows what godless things could come from that?! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-it-down-republicans-defund-mo-libraries/982576.md?page=2)